Newbie needs advice for a system

[gamer12]

hey,
I have a config in mind but as this my first PC in 4 years I want to be sure.

mobo - evga nForce 680i SLI 775 Mainboard
cpu - core 2 duo e6600
gpu - EVGA e-GeForce 7950 GX2
hdd - Seagate 320GB 7200.10 ST3320620AS x 3 (raid 5)
memory - Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4
dvd - NEC ND-3550A 16X DVD+/-RW x 2
display - ViewSonic's 22" VX2245wm (not sure, any advice???)
case - Antec P180
CPU cooling - Freezer 7 Pro
psu - Seasonic M12 700W (will this fit in the case???)

the reason for 680i is future proofing + over-clocking. EVGA gpu coz later if I want (in near future) i can get a g8800. will use xp pro and fedora for OS. i will add sound card & speakers later.

also, need advice on the keyboard & mouse good for gamers (mostly RTS type games).

am i missing something? any advice & help will be greatly appreciated.

thanks.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Two things:

#1 - You're paying about $500 for the 7590GX2, right? Why not get an 8800GTS for now for about the same price? Get the eVGA one, and you have the option to upgrade to an 8800GTX in three months. That'll give you an extra three months of DX10 compatability (incase you want to buy Vista as soon as it comes out), and it SHOULD give you better performance over the 7950GX2, though I may be mistaken.

#2 - Though Corsair is my favorite memory brand, I've heard that their regulard XMS2 memory is only mediocre at overclocking. It'll probably hit DDR1000 speeds, but I doubt it'll go much further. If you're serious about squeezing every ounce of performance out of your system, go with the Dominator line, or another trusted brand (OCZ Platinum VX2, Mushkin Redline, TeamGroup, etc.) You can pick up the DDR2 800 C4 Dominator memory on Newegg for about $315, with a $20 discount if you buy the motherboard at the same time. Not a bad deal.

Other than that, it looks good.

 

[n7]

Looks pretty good
Some parts, not so much though.

Get an 8800 GTS.

Get a better cooler:
Scythe Ninja/Mine, TT Big Typhoon/Sonic Tower, Zalman 9500/9700, Tuniq Tower, Thermalright Ultra-120, etc.

Not sure that case is all that great, but that's preference thing.
I'd head into the cooling/case section to see what's preferred.

RAM with Micron D9 chips is what you want if you're OCing; the Corsair you listed is not good at all unless you get really lucky.

See the link in my sig, or just check out these pairs, as they all use D9s, & will all reach around DDR2-1000+ speeds.

I ordered them first-to-last in what'd i'd consider to be best to worst deals:

Crucial 10th Anniversary DDR2-667 3-3-3 - $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820148017
Buffalo Firestix DDR2-800 4-4-4 - $245
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820150054
Team Xtreem DDR2-667 3-3-3 - $275
http://www.tankguys.biz/ddr2-3338-p-167...sCsid=f4298906ac5457e7b0b44172b58de39d
Team Xtreem DDR2-800 4-4-4 - $287.38
http://www.tankguys.biz/ddr2-44410-800m...sCsid=f4298906ac5457e7b0b44172b58de39d
Super Talent DDR2-800 4-4-3 - $292
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820609026
G.Skill DDR2-800 4-4-4 $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231065
Corsair Dominator DDR2-800 4-4-4 - $315
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145168

 

[gamer12]

Thanks!

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
Two things:

#1 - You're paying about $500 for the 7590GX2, right? Why not get an 8800GTS for now for about the same price? Get the eVGA one, and you have the option to upgrade to an 8800GTX in three months. That'll give you an extra three months of DX10 compatability (incase you want to buy Vista as soon as it comes out), and it SHOULD give you better performance over the 7950GX2, though I may be mistaken.

This sounds like a good idea. Hopefully, someone will be benchmarking some 8800's in the next few days. Also, a number of people have ordered it (saw them post here), hopefully they'll put in some reviews soon.

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
#2 - Though Corsair is my favorite memory brand, I've heard that their regulard XMS2 memory is only mediocre at overclocking. It'll probably hit DDR1000 speeds, but I doubt it'll go much further. If you're serious about squeezing every ounce of performance out of your system, go with the Dominator line, or another trusted brand (OCZ Platinum VX2, Mushkin Redline, TeamGroup, etc.) You can pick up the DDR2 800 C4 Dominator memory on Newegg for about $315, with a $20 discount if you buy the motherboard at the same time. Not a bad deal.

hmm... how does TWIN2X2048-8500C5D sound or OCZ Titanium Alpha VX2? Also, could you explain what the 4 numbers in latency mean? which ones are important & isn't lower the better?

Any advice on the case & psu? Thanks!

 

[Boyo]

Your build looks good, but as stated, I would get the 8800GTX for the extra money, it's worth the power it will give you. Also, the Corsair 8500C5D is a better choice for overclocking. The first number is your CAS latency number. The lower the number, the better. While the 6400C4 has lower latency numbers, the 8500C5D is looser for overclocking. Either one will be great for your system though.

 

[gamer12]

Thanks!

Originally posted by: n7
Get an 8800 GTS.

i am thinking

Originally posted by: n7
Get a better cooler:
Scythe Ninja/Mine, TT Big Typhoon/Sonic Tower, Zalman 9500/9700, Tuniq Tower, Thermalright Ultra-120, etc.

i will look them up.

Originally posted by: n7
Not sure that case is all that great, but that's preference thing.
I'd head into the cooling/case section to see what's preferred.

I will do that. I like the case & its psu at the bottom design. the concerns are how well will things fit in it & will the psu fit in the cage.

Originally posted by: n7
See the link in my sig, or just check out these pairs, as they all use D9s, & will all reach around DDR2-1000+ speeds.

what about CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB), TWIN2X2048-8500C5D sound or OCZ Titanium Alpha VX2?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Do you mean the VX2235wm? I couldn't find anything about a VX2245wm, if so the LCD looks good. I have the vx2025wm which I think is basically the 20.1" of that (only other difference seems to be the design of the bezel and frame) and it is great

 

[gamer12]

thanks! its good to hear that i haven't spent countless hours in the last month & come up with rubbish

Originally posted by: Boyo
Your build looks good, but as stated, I would get the 8800GTX for the extra money, it's worth the power it will give you.

well, 8800GTX sounds good but expensive that's why want to buy evga gx2 now & upgrade to 8800gtx after x'mas along with the sound card n speakers.

Originally posted by: Boyo
Also, the Corsair 8500C5D is a better choice for overclocking. The first number is your CAS latency number. The lower the number, the better. While the 6400C4 has lower latency numbers, the 8500C5D is looser for overclocking. Either one will be great for your system though.

hmm... thanx.

any inputs on the case & psu?

 

[gamer12]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
Do you mean the VX2235wm? I couldn't find anything about a VX2245wm, if so the LCD looks good. I have the vx2025wm which I think is basically the 20.1" of that (only other difference seems to be the design of the bezel and frame) and it is great

nope, i did mean vx2245wm. it is not out yet. the only difference it that it has an iPod dock & an 8-in-1 card reader,USB connection for your joystick/game control, integrated microphone and headphone jack on the base.

 

[SparkyJJO]

OK. Ipod dock in the monitor though? Ick waste of space IMO USB hub would be nice though.

The PSU looks good. The M12 series is supposed to be really quiet as well.

 

[gamer12]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
OK. Ipod dock in the monitor though? Ick waste of space IMO USB hub would be nice though.

the dock is part of the base. its still not yet but yes the USB hub & headfone n mike sockets sound good.

 

[gamer12]

okie, after some reading looks like evga mobos r not good for ppl new in the game.
between,
ASUS P5N32-E SLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
&
evga nForce 680i SLI 775 Mainboard

what is recomended?

 

[gamer12]

went to the nvidia display at fry's today. a couple of lucky folks won a 8800gtx, i tried but the dispay was awesome, u could make could the clarity n detail of display on a what looked like a 27" wide screen. i asked the evga n nvidia folks about 650i based mobos. The nvidia rep told me q1 '07 and evga guy said b4 x'mas.

if any1 sees reviews of these boards pleaz post them.